The Cleveland Cavaliers have choices to make this summer, and the biggest is this: who will they let go of and who will they bring back in 2025-26?
Speaking on ESPN Cleveland, Brian Windhorst talked about the options for both Ty Jerome and Sam Merrill, who may or may not be back with the Cavs next season.
“Their biggest priority is to try to retain Ty Jerome and Sam Merrill. The reason that the Cavs were able to get Ty Jerome in the first place is that the Golden State Warriors couldn’t afford him anymore. The Cavs are in danger of the same thing. Sam Merrill, too. Sam Merrill is a guy who’s unrestricted, who’s an excellent 38-or-so percent-career three-point shooter. While they’re waiting on something for Jerome, there’s a possibility they could lose Merrill while they’re deciding,” Windhorst said.
Will the Cavs bring back both Ty Jerome and Sam Merrill? @WindhorstESPN says it’s up in the air… pic.twitter.com/peJJecv60u
— ESPN Cleveland (@ESPNCleveland) June 20, 2025
Jerome is coming off a red-hot season where he averaged 12.5 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game on 51.6 percent from the field and 43.9 percent from the three-point line.
As for Merrill, he posted 7.2 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 1.5 assists on 40.6 percent from the floor and 37.2 percent from distance.
Jerome’s output went up a lot this season, while Merrill’s dipped slightly, but the Cavaliers would love to have them both back in the new season.
However, is that possible?
The Cavaliers will try to put together a good contract that will keep Jerome, but they could lose Merrill while they are doing that because he will be exploring the open free agency market.
So, while they would like both in Cavs uniforms next summer, it sounds like that probably won’t happen.
Is this the start of an exodus from Cleveland, and will more players be leaving?
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